Years ago I suffered from severe exophthalmos as a result of an overactive thyroid. The swelling at the time was so severe that even now, years later, I have droopy bags under my eyes which are very ageing. Rather than resort to cosmetic surgery, is there anything make-up can do? Jo Attrill

You could have a make-up lesson with someone like Cosmetics à la Carte who could teach you to use concealers to the very best effect. They are at 19b Motcomb Street, London SW1 (020 7235 0596; www.cosmeticsalacarte.com). Expect to pay £100-£150 for a lesson, which is really worthwhile. But why are you so averse to cosmetic surgery? Procedures are much less invasive nowadays. According to Naresh Joshi, an eminent eyelid surgeon operating at the Lister Hospital, if your exophthalmos is due to thyroid there are two options: if after consultation your scan shows that the condition is simply due to excess fat, it is possible to remedy the problem under a local anaesthetic with sedation and a one-night stay in hospital. The second option is a more involved operation which requires a general anaesthetic. I am not a fan of surgery particularly but a consultation doesn't mean you have to go ahead. A friend of mine who has always had bags under her eyes (thanks to genetics) is thrilled with her recent results. Naresh Joshi Consultant Oculoplastic Surgeon: Private PA: 020 7460 5739; NHS secretary: 020 8746 8343

Can you tell me whether cleansing and toning is essential before using a day cream? What would you recommend as an ideal daily skin routine for the face for somebody who doesn't have a lot of time in the mornings but cares about her skin? Thanks. Lucy Kitt

I can't quite believe that you could ask this question. If you can't find a few minutes day and night to cleanse, you can't really care about your skin. If you live in a city, you can actually feel the dirt on your skin at the end of the day. No point in putting moisturiser onto dirt. To my mind, spending money on a good cleanser that suits your skin type is more important than anything. If your skin is on the dry side you may not need a daily toner but if you cleanse badly or you live in an area with very hard water, you would benefit from a pure rose water toner like Aromatherapy Associates Rose Skin Tonic, £20 (from Space NK or other stockists: 020 8569 7030). Apply with pure cotton wool (not thin little pads). Avoid toners with alcohol unless you have oily skin and remember that water has a drying effect on the skin, not a moisturising one. Lastly, you should be exfoliating to get rid of dead skin cells at least once a month. It's very British to say that it's all hype, but the woman who looks after her skin, even in a small way, will end up looking younger than the one who does not. Believe me.

My hair is naturally thick and curly. I got sick of straightening it and decided to have the Yuko treatment. As a result my hair is sleek and shiny, but it is now very thin and lacking the volume it had. I am desperate to get back the bounce. My roots are starting to grow back and I would like to get it straightened again but am wary of the Yuko process. Could you recommend any treatments and products that would help me to not have to straighten it with irons every day yet keep the volume and body? Ali from Vauxhall

I can relate to this problem as my hair is also naturally thick and curly and I have toyed with the idea of Yuko many times. The truth is there is a subtle difference between really thick hair and a lot of fine hair that looks thick. Yuko is such a powerful treatment that you really have to have extra-strong hair - like the Indians or the Japanese - to cope with it. As you have discovered, Yuko works very well. It makes the hair very straight and you really can 'wash and go' with shiny, swinging hair.

But life is unfair because with straight and shiny comes l at and lifeless and it doesn't suit everyone. There is a middle ground for curly hair which is to try a relaxing salon treatment such as Wellastrate (www.salonfinder.co.uk). This treatment can be more easily touched up at the root to 'relax' the hair again. Sadly, you cannot do this on Yuko-straightened hair as they are very different processes and you would cause a lot of damage. I'm afraid you will have to wait until your Yuko treatment grows out completely before going for this option.

What can you do now? John Vial at Real Hair in Chelsea Green says, 'Put a blow-dry spray into the very roots of your hair when wet and then dry it vigorously upside down with a brush to get lift and body on the top of your head before turning back upright. Alternatively, try putting a large Velcro roller on the top sections, add root lift spray then make sure you leave the hair until it is cold.' You could end up looking like a madwoman but it's worth a try! As for product, I'm a fan of John Frieda's Volume, thickening blow-dry lotion. £4.49 at Boots and stockists: 020 7851 9800; John Vial at Real Hair: 020 7589 0877.

Kathy's hot products of the month

The look for this autumn is all about the 'taupe face', ie beige foundation, eyes and lips too! Try one of Daniel Sandler's Wash of Colour sheer base foundations, £5.50, and his Rosy Tan eyeshadow, £9 (stockists 01923 845370). Then hot up the look for evening with great red lipsticks such as Rouge Dior, £16.50, Daniel Sandler Temptress, £12, and Chanel 01, £16.50.

· Kathy Phillips is beauty director of Condé Nast Asia. Author of four books, she has her own critically acclaimed aromatherapy range, This Works